Stupid Airline Tricks to take your $$$!!!

I'm so jealous your going to CA!! We were flying out every year to visit friends but this year its not in the budget and I miss Cali oh so much! I am not jealous, however, of the fact that you are flying. I hate flying!!

Last year I remember the baggage overlimit crap. We thought ours was going to be but thankfully it was just under 50 lbs.

Did you get a nonstop flight? IMO, in those cramped planes, those are the worst! 5 1/2 hours with your legs cramped up stinks.  

I remember the first time we flew out there we got United, and flew on their huge jet. Everyone had their own personal TV built into the back of the chair, plus there was plenty of room. I got spoiled on that because I only want to fly on those planes and on United from now, which United tends to be the most expensive. 

ETA: And what about the stupid meals they have now, that not only are gross, they charge $5-$7 for them! Just wait, drinks and snacks will cost too soon! 

BCMixs

I'm leaving for CA on Friday

What part are you going to? Not sure about the entire state, but it's beautiful here right now.

I'd seen the latest news on the extra charges the airlines are making. Personally, I used to love flying but over the last couple years, it's more like torture. I'm not a large person, but it's almost inhumane to ask someone to sit in those teensy tiny seats for hours at a time. Even if they do happen to serve a meal, it's almost impossible to feed yourself when the seat in front is so far back that they're practically in your lap. Ugh - it's a good thing you're coming to California cause at least it'll all be worth it

No non-stop here, I have 3 legs going out and 2 coming back and still paid more than I wanted to.  :(  On my flight to and from Alaska at New Year's I developed severe edema in my legs because I'm old, unfit and I SWEAR the seat cushions are getting flatter and more uncomfortable.  I was stuck in a center seat the entire way and didn't get up and move around, this time I'm strolling the aisles and the flight attendants can kiss my buttocks with their carts! 

I'm going all over CA and I'm SO EXCITED!  My friend lives between San Francisco and Sacramento.  We're driving down to Newport Beach and doing the SoCal, LA thing for about 4 days, then driving the PCH back up to Monterey for a night and then a night in SF before my flight leaves.  It's going to be Thelma & Louise without the dying part!  LOL!  

She told me it's been cool but I'm trying to pack for either extreme given the wide area we'll be covering.  Hope Continental doesn't hike that 2nd bag fee before my return flight!  :) 

ETA: I heard on the news tonight they are charging for the peanuts now!  Good grief! 

BCMixs

I'm going all over CA and I'm SO EXCITED!  My friend lives between San Francisco and Sacramento.  We're driving down to Newport Beach and doing the SoCal, LA thing for about 4 days, then driving the PCH back up to Monterey for a night and then a night in SF before my flight leaves.  It's going to be Thelma & Louise without the dying part!  LOL!  

That sounds wonderful!! I'm in Sacramento and Joyce (Max's mom) is in Davis, so wave when you get close. It was 80 something here today, but when you get closer to the coast, it can be cooler, so you're wise to be prepared for everything. I hope you have a wonderful trip and no problems with the flight. Bring your own nuts or snacks and just smile and say "no thanks" when they try to sell you something ;)

 Thanks!  I'll post scenic pics when I return!

BCMixs

I heard on the news tonight they are charging for the peanuts now! 

not suprising.... I guess *sigh*

cakana

What part are you going to? Not sure about the entire state, but it's beautiful here right now

True!!! Warm afternoons, cool mornings and nights.  Too bad this can't last all summer. The only place in the state that I absolutely hate to fly into is San Diego - beause the airport is right smack dab in the middle of downtown. If you're driving down I-5 the planes are so low over the freeway that you can actually look up and read the numbers on the bottom. As for the luggage problems, there was a couple on the news yesterday that got charged an extra $100 when they checked in because each of them brought a second bag at $50 apiece.

Joyce

The only place in the state that I absolutely hate to fly into is San Diego - beause the airport is right smack dab in the middle of downtown. If you're driving down I-5 the planes are so low over the freeway that you can actually look up and read the numbers on the bottom.

I flew into San Diego one time when it was foggy. We made 2 attempts, each time feeling like we dropped out of the sky and then pulled straight up. The pilot came on and said we'd try one more time and if we didn't make it, they were diverting us to Vegas. We came in one final time and the fog shifted enough for us to land, but when we did, the entire plane applauded

cakana

I flew into San Diego one time when it was foggy. We made 2 attempts, each time feeling like we dropped out of the sky and then pulled straight up.

That's par for the course for flying into SD. They swing out over the ocean then come in and drop straight down.  It's almost (but not quite) as unnerving as driving with a Tijuana taxi driver.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

They swing out over the ocean then come in and drop straight down. 

*Cringe*..At LAX when taking off from their airport, they take off over the water and then turn around. I made the mistake of looking out the window as this was happening and it all you can see below you is the nice ocean that you look like your going to nosedive into....I hate flying. 

Ugh, I hate to fly, but I love to travel. They have been doing the no bags over 50 lbs for awhile now, probably at least for the last 4-5 years when I have flown. We only got over weight once, but the other one was slightly under so we opened up the bags and moved stuff around rather then pay the fee. The only 1 bag in country stinks though. Most of our flights limit carry-on weight too, but they have never checked weight, so who knows if they are doing it now. I haven't flown in like 6 months so I'm sure things are slightly different now.

Make sure you pack some clothes in your carry-on. I have found the more they increase the security the more my bags get lost especially when we lay over somewhere for not too long. I try to pack stuff evenly between the 2 bags so we have stuff for a few days if they lose one bag, and pack some basics in the carryon.

On our way back from my honeymoon they lost the worse possible bag. We bought a bunch of wheels of cheese in Holland and had one suitcase with all of them in there plus all of our presents for our family. Of course that one had to go missing. They got it back to us in a day and a half, but it was still a PITA. When my sister moved they lost her dog during a layover. She got him the next day (thank goodness they found him) but by that point he had been locked in the crate for something like 16 hours.

SalemsMom

Ugh, I hate to fly, but I love to travel. They have been doing the no bags over 50 lbs for awhile now, probably at least for the last 4-5 years when I have flown. We only got over weight once, but the other one was slightly under so we opened up the bags and moved stuff around rather then pay the fee. The only 1 bag in country stinks though. Most of our flights limit carry-on weight too, but they have never checked weight, so who knows if they are doing it now. I haven't flown in like 6 months so I'm sure things are slightly different now.

Make sure you pack some clothes in your carry-on. I have found the more they increase the security the more my bags get lost especially when we lay over somewhere for not too long. I try to pack stuff evenly between the 2 bags so we have stuff for a few days if they lose one bag, and pack some basics in the carryon.

On our way back from my honeymoon they lost the worse possible bag. We bought a bunch of wheels of cheese in Holland and had one suitcase with all of them in there plus all of our presents for our family. Of course that one had to go missing. They got it back to us in a day and a half, but it was still a PITA. When my sister moved they lost her dog during a layover. She got him the next day (thank goodness they found him) but by that point he had been locked in the crate for something like 16 hours.

I think the 1 bag limit is relatively new, at least w/Continental.  My DD and I flew to Alaska over New Year's and were each allowed 2 bags.  Which of course they lost!  After a day and a half, and a delayed start to our trip, I will most definitely packing a change of clothes and essential migraine meds in my carry on!  I also use TSA locks on my checked bags and darned if I don't ALWAYS get inspected!  But I knew someone once who worked in baggage for Continental and he said, yeah, use the locks because only the inspectors have the TSA master keys and the unlocked bags get rifled for goodies OFTEN.  

I would FREAK if they lost my dogs.  After that catastrophe with the show dog that got loose and was never found, I honestly don't know if I could fly my dogs.  I'd need major meds to make it through the anxiety if I absolutely had to ship them but I'd avoid it if at all possible.  Poor dog, 16 hours??? That's terrible!